power to the people

Government agencies often misrepresent their relationship with their constituents. Consider the sign splayed proudly across a downtown street, which I passed under this morning while driving in silence, my morning ritual whenever public radio has a pledge drive.

PREVENT FLOODING: RAKE A DRAIN
Public Works, We're Working for You

No, no, no, no, no. If we rake drains--which are "owned" by the city--we're working for you. Or, more optimistically, we're working for us.